Back on March 4, the Fiji Times was reporting that cyclone season could be extended by a month despite improving weather conditions. "We are not expecting a cyclone in the next five to six days but we never know, a cyclone is always possible," Meteorological Services director Rajendra Prasad said.
Well, it was possible. A powerful cyclone lashed the islands on Tuesday, forcing 10,000 people to evacuate from max 109-mph winds. More from Agence France-Presse:
"The main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu were spared the worst of the devastation from Cyclone Tomas, which hit Monday, but there were reports of extensive damage from northern and eastern outlying islands, officials said.
The full extent of the fallout was still unclear as communications to many of the smaller islands and isolated areas on Vanua Levu remained cut Tuesday.
There were no new reports of casualties after a woman drowned in rough seas at the weekend as the cyclone approached.
More than 10,000 people had fled to evacuation centres by Tuesday -- mostly in the north of the country -- as the storm damaged buildings and crops and cut communications and power, while many low-lying areas were flooded."
Read more on the worst hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones here.
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